Mining machine



Nov. 8, 1927.

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Original Filed March 13, 1924 8 2, w 4. H Z 8 w. m, m, m fw m E um. m m m m Q .um m m j., Q H. m m NN M QQ P m n @l M M l Rw@ .M Q 0 sw@ Q 7. f 1, 32 i v V v Y No .sw @E m Q .w

ww @QN ling` mechanism said feeding mr Patented Nov. 8 1927. i

STATES PATENT GFFICE.

MORRIS HOLMES.. F CLAREEONT, NEVI ELPLMESHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN lAC-INERY CGiPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSCHUSETTS.

MINING vLVICHINIEI.

Mv invention relates to mining; machines.

Air object of mj: invention is to provide an improved mining' machine. Anothcr ooject of my invention is to provide an nnproved mining); machine having improved feeding mechanism. A third oluect oi' my invention to provide an improved mining' machine having improved controlling;` meenanism and adapted either to cut a kert continuine; the bottom. or a lierf a substantial distance above the bottom. A. still further object of my invention to provide an miproved mining machine having; nnproved feeding' mechanism and improved controL I lumism. Yet another objectof mj. invent )n is to provide an improved mininey machine having' improved feed controlling mechanism arid means wherebiY the same ina)v be readily controlled from either side during' cutting in either direction relative to a tace. Other objects of my invention will hereafter more fully appear.

This is a division of mj.' copandi apn plication Serial No. (399,055, hled Mai. 125

In the acconipanving drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one form which my invention ma)v assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig'. 1 is a plan view of a mining;l machine constructed in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of in v invention.

Fie'. 2 is a side elevation of such a mining machine.

Fig'. I3 is a detail sectional view through mechanism emplo '.'ed for holding' a guiding' spira-.liet in its adjur-lted position.

Fia'. 'l is a side view of the rear end ot the machine shown in Figi'. 2, but 'from the opposite. side.

Fia'. 5 is a view in side elevation of the illustrative embodiment of my machine cuttinp; with the bar a substantial distance above the bottom.

Fie: G a horizontal longitudinal section through the feeding' mechanism. the section being' taken substantiallv on line of Fig. 2, but with the machine facing in the opposite direction.

Fia'. 7 is an enlarged detail of a clutch operfiting' mechanism5 the view being' a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. G.

Divided and this application filed .Tune 3,

Serial No. 34,674.

Fig. S is a central vertical section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. a vertical section on the line 9 of Fig. (5.`

Fig. 1() is a horizontal section on the line -1O of Fig. t) showing` the clutch operatme' means.

In the 'form of my invention presented for purposes of illustration I have shown a min` ing machine of the so-callcd room and pillar type, which comprises a frame generally designated 17 herein made up of a plurality of elements bolted together and providing opposite plane surfaces 2 and 3, either of which may support the mining machine during; sliding movement of the latter over a mine bottom. Adjacent and parallel to the plane of the surface 2 is a forwardly projecting cutter bar 4 provided with a circulatini; cutter chain which carries cutter bitsI (i of usual form, operative when the bar is presented to the coal to cut a korf therein. y reason of the disposition of the bar 4L, it will be apparent that when the machine is sliding upon the surfaces 2 a kerf will be cut which will serve to extend the bottom, while if the machine is inverted and used with the surface 3 engaging the bottom during cutting, a lierf a substantial distance above the bottom will be produced. For the purpose of moving' the machine during feeding and at other times I employ flexible feeding` means 8, having` during cutting across 'the face oppositely extending flexible portions i) and 10 and adapted to be variousl)Y reaved depending' upon the results di sired. lt will be understoml that suitable :guidinjr means are provided to cooperate with this llexible feedingY means to position the same propcrl)1 relative to the machine in order that the latter may be propelled in the desired way and it will be observed further that suitable feed operating' members, herein designated 11 and 12, each of which is adapted to serve as a feed operating or as a taire-up member depending' upon the direction of cut or the position of the machine7 are provided to cooperate with the flexible portions mentioned. 12 are coaxial and are of such construction as to cooperate with the links of a chain, that being' the form of flexible feeding' means 8 employed for purposes of illustration herein.

The members 11 and in opposite directions. The worm 81 meshes with worm wheel 91 and the worm S2 with the worm wheel 92. The worm wheels 91 and 92 are respectively keyed as at 93 and 9st to sleeve-like members 95 and 967 which members are supported upon ball bearings generally designated 97. The ball bearings 97 surround sleeves 99 and 100 journaled upon the shaft 80. The sleeves 99 and 100 carry bevel gears 101 and 102 with which there cooperate two bevel gears 103 mounted on spindles 101` carried on a member 105 which is mounted upon the shaft 80. As the section of Fig'. 6 is taken on lines at right angles to each other but one of these pinions shows. The member o is slotted at right angles to the plane of the axes of the gears 103 and there is slidable therein a clutch provided with clutch teeth 106 and 107 at its opposite sides which are adapted to mesh with corresponding teeth 108 and 109 on the sleeves 95 and 96 respectively. Owing to the nature of the section. only half of the clutch shows in Fig. 6. 1t will be apparent that as the teeth 106 and 107 are moved in opposite directions longitudinallyof the shaft S0, the member will be connected in driven relation with one or the other of the gears 91, 92 with the result that this mechanism will cause bodily rotation of the pinions 103. The clutch teeth 106 and 107 are adapted to be shifted longitudinally by means of a cross member 110 extending through a slot 111 in the shaft S0 and cooperatingl with a recess 112 in a rod 113 extending through the hollow shaft 80. This rod is adapted to be moved in opposite directions by a handle 114 which is threadedly connected with the rod and may be placed in engagement with the latter through either end of the shaft 80. It is also to be observed that the sleeves 99 and 100 constitute mounting's for the sprockets 11 and 12 and that these sprockets are conneeted to these sleeves in nonrotative relation. It should further be noted that the sleeves 99 and 100 carry keyed thereto brake drum elements 115 and 116, with which brake bands 117 and 11S respectively cooperate, these brake bands beingl supported by stationary monntings 119 and 120. These bands have at their free ends mechanism for varyingl their tension.

Observing 7 it will be noted that the extremities of the band 117 carry a pair of pins 121 and 122 upon which a pair of arms 123 and 12st are pivotally mounted. Bars 125 are carried by a rod 137 and are pivotally connected as at 126 and. 127 to the arms 123 and 124 so as to provide fulcra for these arms. The arms 123 and 121 have oppositely inclined surfaces 12S and 129 with which rollers 130 and 131 are adapted to cooperate and on longitudinal movement to effect pivotingl of the arms about the pivot points 126 and 127. The rollers 130 and 131 are carried in slots 132 in sleeves 133 which are internally threaded as at 134. The construction of the mechanism cooperating,` with the brake band 11S is similar, but opposite, to that described in connection with the brake band 117. Screws 135 and 136 engage the sleeves 133 forming parts of the operating), mechanism for the brake bands 117 and 11S. The screws 135 and 136 surround the rod 137 and are supported upon sleeves 13S and 139 which are journaled in the sides of the frame. To effect operation of these sleeves and accordingly of the screws a plurality of operating s handles 1-10 and 111 are provided. The handle 1110 is provided with a shaft 1412 which is adapted lo be clutched and pinned as at 14:3 to the rod 137. At its opposite end the shaft 137 is clutched by means of a removable clutch element 151.5 held by a machine screw 146 to the element 139. The hand wheel 141 is clutched by clutch teeth 149 to a clutch portion 150 on a member 188. lt will be readily apparent that it is possible to interchange the handles 1110 and 1411 and related parts and the element 146 so that the elements 135 and 136 may he controlled from the right hand side of the machine by the elements 1410 and 141 rcspecf tively. t

At either side of the front end of the machine frame there is provided a swiveled rotatable flexible feeding` member duiding; elementl 151. Each of these is mountednpon an arm 152 which is journaled upon a shaft 153 about which it may be swung' so as 'to bring its respect-ive sprocket always near the, bottom of the machine irrespective of whether the machine is slid upon the surface 2 or the surface 3. Spring controlled locking' means 1511 serves to hold the element 152 in one position, but on reversal of the position of the parts it will be evident that the locking means may still cooperate. but then with an opening; 156. in holding the. parts in their new position. The member engages suitable. stops 157 in either o t lts positions. A suitable chain stripper or `guidingy element provided at 151% and this may be placed at either side, of the machine as is desirable for the purpose of strippingr the chain from the sprocket 11 or 12, whichever is operating` as the feed sprocket at. the time. Noting- Fie-s. 1 and 2, it will be observed that in cutting` from right to left the flexible feeding member extends from ay suitable jack or takcup member (not shown) adjacent the left hand rib, bacl: around the sprocket 151 at the left hand side of the machine, rearwardly about the sprocket 11 from below. then forwardly over the top of the sprocket and over the chain stripper 15S in the form of a loop and next around inside one of a pair of corner sprockets 159 rotatable on vertical axes at the rear otl the trame, then in contact ivith a central sprocket 1(30, then inside the other sprcket 159, then forward over the top ot the sprocket 12, then backward -from the lower side ot the sprocket 12, around a sprocket 161 coaxial with the right hand sprocket 159 and then olif to a suitable jack or talicup member (not shown) at the let'thand rib. lt .is to be observed that the sprockets 'H9 and 161 are alike at either side olf the machine and that the rear olf the trame is curved as at 153 to guide the slack intermediate portion ot the tlexible Ylecding member. lhe reeve is reversed in cutting lroin right to lelftand a dillci'cut` roeve .is also used when the inachine is cutting while sliding upon thc surt'ucc 2, as might. be the case in cutting` out a dirt band. An opening` ltll provided in the rcar end ot the trame to permit access ot a. driven element carried by a mining machine truck to the gear 2o so that the latter may constitute a truck driving n'ieinber. Suitable electrical controlling mechanisn'i (not shoivn) is mounted in the spaces lesignated controller and resistance.

lfhe general inode ot operation ot this mechanism will already be apparent. illither the elerent Q1 or the element 0&5 may be employed to drive the diterential and with the use ot' one olf' these elements there will be tast` rotation in one direction While with the use ot the other there will be a slower rotation in the opposite direction. ln view ot the tact that both the sprockets 11 and 12 tend to rotate in the same direction and the turther 'l'act that 'the element 12 tends to rotate due to the pull ot' the tail chain, itvvill be apparent,I that it is necessary to rather heavily load the brake band 118 during cutting from light to lett so that the member 102 will not. be more rapidly turned than 'the member 101. liy varying the tension olf this member it is ot course possible to produce angling ot thev machine. rlhe machine may be caused to cnt vfrom lelt to right by reversing the tunctions ot the leed operating members ll and l2 and the controls can be changed lo the right hand side ot the machine tor convenience during this operation.

Vihile l have in this application specilically described one term `which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this torni oit' the same is shown for purposes ot illustration and that the invention may ie inodilied and embodied in other forms Without departing 'trom its spirit or the scope ot the appended claims.

What l claim as new and desire to secure by' Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a mining inachine, ot a. teed driving mechanism thereon including a dillerential, i'feed operating memn bers con ected to ditlerent elements ot said differential, means controlling the rotation et said members, and a plijirality ot' Worm drives tor said dillferential.

2. rlhe combination' With a mining inachine, ot a it'eed driving mechanism thereon including a dili'erei'itial, lecd operating members thereon connected to dill'erent elements otsaid dil'lcrential, and means tor controlling the direction ot' rotation oit said members including a plurality oi' Worm drives tor said dilierential.

'llhe combination with a mining machine, ot a. teed driving mechanism thereon including a dill'erential having at least one orbitally movable element, means for moving said orbitally moving element through its orbit in dillerentdirections including oppositely rotating elements adapted to move the same directly, and leed operating menibcrs connected to dill'erent elements ot the dillerential,

hl. lhe combination with a mining ma,- chinc, ot a eed driving mechanism thereon inc-hiding a ditlerential having atl leastl one oibitally movable element, means tor moving said orbitally moving element through its orbit in dilierent directions including oppositely rotating elements adapted to move thc saine directly, teed operating members connected to ditl'erent elements ot the ditl'erential, and means tor rotardingv either ot said members.

5. ln a mining machine, the combination including a dil'lerential including coaxial elements and at least one orbitally moving element operatively engaging said coaxial elements, .means 'tor causing said last men tioned element to traverse its orbit in opposite directions including oppositely rotating elements coaxial with said lirst mentioned coaxial elements, and feed operating meinn bers connected to said lirst mentioned coaxial elements.

(i. ln a mining machine, the coinbinzfrtion including a dillierential including coaxial elements and at least one orbitally moving element operatively engaging said coaxial elements, means 'l'or causing said last nicnlioned element to traverse its orbit in opposite directions at dili'ercnt speeds including oppositely rotating elements coaxial with said tirst mentioned coaxial elements, and l'eed operating members connected to said tirst mentioned coaxial elements.

In a mining machine, the combination including a dil'lerential including coaxial elements and at least one orbitally moving element operatively engaging said coaxial elements, means for causingl said last inentioned element to traverse its orbit .in opposite directions including oppositely rotating elements coaxial with said lirst mentioned coaxial elements, feed operating members connected to said lirst mentioned coaxial elements, and means t'or trictionally retardllo ing the rotation ol`4 said Yleed operating me1nbers.

S. A mining machine, the combination including a Vflexible 'teeding means including a plurality ol tlexible ilecding` portions extend ingl oppositely iroin the opposite ends ot the machine trame during cuttingacrossl a tace, rotatable memlgiers operativelj.' engaging said portions and respectively operative when rotated in the proper direction to crav: in the portions with which they cooperate and mechanism tor controlling the rotation ot said members including a plurality oit coaxial elements, a pluralty ot' which provide coaxial portions and one ot which provides orbitally moving means which constitutes a connecting means between said coaxial portions, operative connections between one ot said coaxial elements and one ot said rotatable members, distinct operative connectionsl between the other ot said coaxial elements and the other et said members, and means tor eltecting travel ol said orbitally moving means at ditlerent speeds through its orbit including motor driven elements coaxial with said coaxial eleinents and selectively connectible in driving relation withy that coaxial element which provides the orbitally moving` means.

9. A mining machine, the combination including a flexible 'teeding` means including a plurality ot llexible feeding portions extending oppositely 'troni the opposite ends` ot' the machine trame during cutting across a tace, rotatable members operatively engaging said portions and respectively operative, when rotated in the proper direction to draw in the aortions with which they cooperate, and mechanism :tor controllingl the rotation ot' said menibers including a plurality of coaxial elements, a plurality oil' which provide coaxial portions and another ot which provides orbitally movingl means which constitutes a connecting means between said coaxial portions, operative connections between one ot' said coaxial elements and one ot said rotatable members, distinct operative connections between another ot said coaxial elements and another et' said members, and means Ytor ellccting travel ot said orbitally moving means in opposite directionsl through its orbit including motor driven elements coaxial with said coaxial elementsl and solcctivelv connectiblc in driving relation with thatlcoaxial element which lrnovidcs the orbitallv moving means',

ttt'; mining machine. the combination including a tlexible Ateeding;v means inchulinfor a plurality ot' flexible l'eeding portions extending oppositely Ytrom the opposite ends ot the machine traine during cutting across a tace, rotatable members operatively engaggingA said portions and respectively .operative when rotated in the proper direction to portions with which they co l. ,v t, oiaw in die operate, and mechanism lor controlling the rotation ot said members including a plurality oi coaxial elements, a plurality of which provide coaxial portions and one of which provides orbitally moving means which constitutes a connecting means between said coaxial portions, operative connections between one ol said coaxial elements and one ot said rotatable members, distinct operative connections between the other of 'said coat-:iat elements and the other oli said members, and means itor elllectingtravel olf said orbitally moving means at ditt'erent speeds and in opposite directions tln'ough its orbit including motor driven elements coaxial with said coaxial elements and selectively connectible in driving relation with that coaxial element which provides the orbitally moving means.

ll. ln a mining machine, the combination including a flexible feeding means including a plurz'tlity o t ilexible feeding portions extending oppositely from the opposite ends ot the machine traine during cutting across a itacc. rotatable members operatively engaging said portions and respectively operative when rotated in the proper direction to draw in. the portions with which they cooperate, and mechanism 'tor controlling the rotation ot said members including a plurality ot coaxial elements, a plurality ot which provide coaxial portions and one of which provides orbitally moving means which constitutes a connecting means between said coaxial portions, operative connect-ions between ono of said coaxial elements and one ot said members, distinct operative connections between another ol said elements and the other ot said members, and means t'or ett'ecting travel oit said orbitally moving means at dill'erent speeds through its orbit including motor driven elements coaxial with said coaxial elements and selectively eonnectible in driving` relation with that coaxial element which provides the orbitally moving means, and means for retarding the rotation oli either ot said coaxial elements positively connected with said rotatable members.

l2. A mining machine, the combination including a flexible feeding' means including a plurality ot' tlexihle feeding portions extending oppovitely from the opposite ends` ot the machine trame during cutting across a tace. rotatable unmbers operatively engaging said portions and respectively operativo when rotated in the proper direction to draw in the portions with which they cooperate. rnd 1-,ic:hanism for controlling the rotation oi said members includingaplurality olf coaxial elements, a plurality ot which provide coaxial portions and another ot whichprovides orhitally moving means which constitutes a connecting means between said coaxhd portions, operative connections between llt) l it) one ot said coaxial elements and one et said memhere, distinct operative connections he tn'een another oit said elen'ieiits; and the other ot said inenfihers, and menne t'or Qileetiin'g tierel of .said oi'hitally iiroving` ineens: in opipio-:itc direc/tiene through iti-f, orhitiin'ludingl inotor driren elements coaxial with said eoeitial elements and selectively conni-fctihle in driving relation with that coaxial element which provides the orhitalljyv morini,l means. and means tor retardine the rotation et either oi? seid coaxial elements positively connected with seid rotatable i'iieinhers.

13. il mining machine, the eon'ihinition including a `flexible feeding mer-iis including :i plui Alit7 of flexible feeding portions e1:- tendinp oppoeitelv troni the opposite ends of the machine freine during' cutting arrows a tace, rotatable members operetively engaging Said portions and reepectively oi, ^i erative When rotated in the proper direction to dranv in the portions with which the57 cooperate, and mechanism i'ior controlling the rotation of seid meinhers including;1 ol plurality of coaxial elements, a plurality oit Whit-lr provide coaxial portions and another ot which provides orhitally moving means which constitutes a connecting means tietween said coaxial portions, operative corr nections between one oit said coaxial elements :ind one el said ineinhere, distinct operative connections between another et said elements and another ot' said meml'iere, and ineens itor efect-ing travel oit Said orhitallv moving` ineans at different speeds end in oppoeite directions through its orbit including` motor driven eleinentsfeeaitial with said coaxial elements and seleetivelj7 eonneetihle in diiv ing relation with that coaxial element which provides the orhitally movinej ineens.

lll. ln a mining' machine, i'eeding mechanieni including a plurality et wor-ine ot diitlerent piteh, Worin wheels driven thereby, :i ditl'erential including` coaxial elements providine coaxial portione and a third element proi-idiiig at least one ortiitall),T movingY ele nient connecting enid tiret and second inentioned elements of Said dillerentialr` teed operating' members operatirel)7 emiiieeted with sziid tiret and second inentioni-id elements ot Said ditterential, and n'ieans tor clutchiiigr the third mentioned eleineiitjot' said difllerential to either ot Seid n'erni Wheels.

infierire clutching the third mentioned element of reid differential to either ot Said Worin Wheels.

lo. ln a mining` machine, feeding mecheiiisin iiieliuling;` a` pluralityY or oppositely rotating; worms oit' dii'iferent pitch, worin Wheels driven thereby, a diiierental including coaxial elemente providintr` coaxial portions anda third element providing at least one orhitallgY moving' element connecting` .said itirst and seeond mentioned elements oit seid differential, 'feed oierating members operatively connected with said tiret end second mentioned elementeI ol said differential, and means Jfor clutching the third mentioned element oit seid diiierentiel to either o'l Seid Worin n'lieels,

17. ln a mining machine, :feeding meehanisin includingl a plurality ot Worms of dit'- liereiit pitch, Worin Wheels` driven thereby, a diterential including coaxial elements proriding coaxial portions and a third element providing at least one orbitally moving elenient conne ie' said tiret and second inentioned elements ot said ditiierential, feed operating ineinbers operatively connected with said tiist and second mentioned elements olf said .liitierentizil, and ineane for clutching,lv the third mentioned element ot said ditlierential to either or said n'orin Wheels .including clutch ineclianiein coaxial with said coaxial ditiierenti al elements.

i8. ln i ruining machine, i'feediiig ineehanisin including plurality of oppositely rotatiiigl Worms, Worin Wheels driven thereby, a dii'i'ereiitial ,including coaxial elements proriding@` coaxial portions and a third element providion` at leuet one orbitally moving` eleineiit connectingv Said first and second inentioned elements ol said ditterential, reed operating inenihere operatively connected with Said tirst and second mentioned elements ot Said ditiiereut-iel, end, means for elutel'iingi` the third mentioned elenient oi said dit- 'tei'ential to either oi said worin niheelsi including clutch nieehanisin cozxial with said coaxial dilt'erential elemente.

l). ln a n'iining ii'iaeliine, feeding meehanisni including' a phiralitv oit oppoisitely rotating* Worms o't ifli'i't'erent pitch, worin Wheels driven thereby, a diliei'ential 'including coaxial elemente providing' coaxial portions and a third element providing rit least one orhitrlly moving element connecting;` said li and eeconi'l mentioned elementeI (t i l mit( diiiei'ential, 'teed operatineY inen'illiere operatively connected with et'iif'l 7"' and Second mentioned elemente oit said dititerential, and ineens for clutching 'the third mentioned ele nient ot Said ditiiei'entizil to either ot .eziiid iro wheels including clutch mechanism e( .l with said coaxial differential elements.

20. ln a mining` machine, teeding n1eeh eniein including a, plurality7 oi" Worms oi dii lois llt)

ferent. pitch, worin wheels driven thereby, a dillercntial including coaxial elements providing coaxial portions and a third element proif'iding at least one orbitally moving elcment connecting sait lirst and second mentioned elements ot' said dill'erential, feed operating members operatively connected with said iirst and second mentioned elements ot said differential, means for clutching the third mentioned element ot' said differential to either of said Worin wheels including clutch mechanism coaxial with said coaxial diiterential elements, and operating means tor .said clutch projecting axially through said differential and operable from either end thereot.

2l. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality ot' oppositely rotating worms, worm wheels driven thereby, a dittcrential including coaxial elements pro-- iding coaxial portions and a third element providingl at least one orbitally moving element connecting said iirstand second nientoned elements ot' said ditl'erential, 'feed operating members operatively connected with said tirst. and second mentioned elements ot said dill'erential, means tor clutching the third mentioned element of said ditlerential to either of said worm wheels including clutch mechanism coaxial with said coaxial diierential elements, and operating means tor said clutch projecting axially through said differential and operable trom either end thereof.

Ir. a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality ot oppositely rotating' worms ot different pitch, worm wheels driven thereby, a ditterential including cofx'al elements providing coaxial portions and a third element providing at least one orbitally n'ioving element connecting said lirst and second mentioned elements ol' said dil'ferential, teed operating members operatively connected with said lirst and second mentioned elements of said differential, means 'tor clutching the third mentioned ,lenient of said dill'erential to either of said worin wheels including clutch mechanism coaxial with said coaxial differential elements, and operating means 'lor said clutch projecting axiall)v through said differential and operable 'from either end thereo'l.

223. ln a mining machiner` a pair of coaxial tred operating members. 'friction braking means associated with said members1 a ditterential intermediate said members and ng corresponding elements connected to l ig members and having at conncctiblc to the third mentioned dill'ercntial element.

24;. The con'ibination with a mining machineq ot a feed driving mechanism thereon including a ditllert-intial having an orbitally movable element, leed operating members connected to dil'l'erent elements of said diiferential,y means controlling the rotation ot said 'leed operating members, and a pluralitv ot' worin drives ior said orbitally movable element.

25. The combination with a mining machine, ot' feed driving mechanism thereon including a dillierential having an orbitally movable element, 'feed operating members connected to ditlerent elements ol said dit:- icrential, and means tor controlling the direction of rotation oi said members including a plurality oi worin drives for said erhitally movable element.

QS. The combination with a mining machine, ol a -feed driving mechanism thereon including a di'tl'erential having at least one orbitally movable element, means l'or moving said orbitally movable element through its orbit in diil'erent directions including oppositely rotating worm gears adapted to more the saine directly, and ieed operating .numbers connected to ditierent elements ot said ditlerential.

2T. The combination with a mining ma chine, ol a 'feed driving mechanism thereon including a dillerential having at least one orbitally movable element, means tor moving said orbitally movable element through its orbit in dili'crent directions including' oppositcly rotating worm gears adapted to move the same directly, and feed operating members connected to dillerent elements of said ditl'ercntial, and means tor rctarding either ol said members.

lill) Q8. In a mining machine, the combination including a differential including coaxial elements and at least one o rbitalljf movable element operatively engaging said coaxial elements, means for causing said last mentioned element to traverse its orbit in opposite directions including oppositely rotating worin gears coaxial with said coaxial element, and `teed operating members connected to said coaxial elements.

29. ln a mining machine. the combination including a dil'l'iercntial including coaxial elements and at least one orbitalljv' nii'ivalilc element operalivel)v engaging iid coaxial elements, means tor causing said last inentioned element to traverse its orbit'. in opposite directions at dill'erent speeds including pposil'el)Y rotating worin gears coaxial with said coaxial elements, and feed operating members connected to said coaxial ele ments.

S0. vln a miningl machine. the combination including a dii'l'eren'tial including coaxial elements and at least one orbitally moralit:`

litt

element operatively engaging said coaxial elements, means for causing said last mentioned element to traverse its orbit in opposite directions at different speeds including oppositely rotating Worm gears coaxial With said coaxial elements, feed operating members connected to said coaxial elements, and means for frietionally retarding the rotation of said feed operating members.

fll. ln a mining machine, feeding mecl.- anisin including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, a differential including an orbitally mo'able element, a plurality of feed operating members operatively connected to said differential and cooperating respectively With said flexible portions, and a plurality ofgvorm gears of different pitch alternatively operative to drive said orbitally movable element at different speeds.

ln a mining` machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, a differential including an orbitally movable element, a plurality of feed operating members operatively connected to said differential and cooperating respectively vrith said flexible portions, and a plurality of Worm gears of different pitch aiternatively operative to drive said orbitally movable element at different speeds and in opposite directions. t

33. ln a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality of' flexible feeding portions, a differential. including an orbitally movable element, a plurality of feed operating members operatively connected to said differential and cooperating respectively ivitli said flexible portions, a plurality of Worm gears of different pitch alternatively operative to drive said orbitally movable element at different speeds, and intermeshingspur gears operatively connecting said ivorm gears with one another.

ln. a mining machine, feeding` mechanisni. including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, a differential including an orbitally movable element, a plurality of feed operating members operatively connected to said differential and cooperating respectively with said flexible portions, said feed operating members being arranged for rotation on axes lying in the saine straight line, and a plurality of worm gears of di til-rent pitch alternatively operative to drive said orbitally' movable element at difl'crent speeds.

35. ln a mining machine, feeding mechanism including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, a differential including an orbitally movable clement, a plurality of feed operating members operatively connected to said'dif'ferential and cooperating respectively with said flexible portions, said feed operating members being arrangedfor rotation on axes lyingin the same straight line, and a plurality of' Worm gears of different pitch insegne alternately operative to drive said orbitally movable element at different speeds and in opposite directions.

3G. ln a mining` machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding` portions, a differential, a plurality of Worin gears rotatable on aires parallel to the same straight line and selectively operative as driving members for said differential, and a plurality of feed operating members cooperating respectively with said feeding portions and alternatively connectible with said worm gears.

3T. ln a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding por-- tions, a differential, a plurality of Worm gears rotatable on axes parallel to the same straight line and selectively operative as driving members for said differential, and a plurality of feed operating members cooperating respectively with said feeding portions and selectively connectible With said Worm gears, said feed operating members rotating on axes lying in the same straight line.

38. ln a mining machine, feeding mechanism including flexible feeding means including a plurality of flexible feeding portions, a differential, a plurality of Worm gears rotatable on axes parallel to the saine straight line and selectively operative as driving members for said differential, and a plurality of feed operating men'ibers cooperating respectively with said feeding portions and selectively conneetible with said Worm gears, said feed operating members rotating on axes lying in the same transversely eX- tending straight line.

39. rlhe combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism thereon including a differential including` an orbitally movable element, feed operating members con-- nected Ato different elements of said differential, and driving means for said feed operating members includinga plurality of drive trains having coaxial terminal elements alternatively eonneetible to said orbitally .movable element.

40. The con'ibination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism thereon including a differential including an orbitally n'iovable element, feed operating members connected to different elements of said differential, and driving means for said feed operating members including a plurality of drive trains having coaxial terminal elements rotatable in opposite directions and alternatively conneetible to :said orbitally movable element.

Ll-l. rl`lie combination with a mining machine, of feeding mechanism thereon ineluding a differential including an orbitally movable element, feed operating members connected to different elements of said differ- Sii lill) lll) lllt) ential, and driving means for said feed operating members including a plurality of drive trains having coaxial terminal elements rotatable at diferent speeds and in opposite directions and alternatively connectible to said orbitally movable element.

42. The combination with a .mining inachine, of feeding mechanism thereon including a differential including an orbitally movable element, feed operating members connected to different elements of said difierential, and driving means for said feed operating members including a plurality of drive trains having coaxial terminal elements rotatable at different speeds and in opposite direct-ions and alternatively connectible to said orbitally movable element, and means for controlling rotation of said feed operating members.

43. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism including fast and slow speed transmission gear trains, a differential driven thereby, a plurality of feed operating members connected to elements of said di'erential, and means for alternatively connecting said fast and slow speed gear trains to said diiferential including a controlling clutch, and operating means therefor extending coaxially through said differential.

44. In a mining machine, feeding mechanism comprising a differential including coaxial elements and a cooperating orbitally movable element, driving gearing therefor operatively connected to said differential including terminal elements, a plurality of feed operating members operatively connected to said coaxial elements respectively, and means for alternatively connecting said terminal elements to said diierential including a controlling clutch, and operating means therefor extending coaxially through said coaxial elements of said differential.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MORRIS I. HOLMES. 

